In Russell Baker's memoir, what is the role of women in families and in the world? How does it change over the course of Russell's life?

Is the memoir mostly about Russell or mostly about his mother Lucy?

How does Russell's view of his mother change over time, as he moves from childhood to adulthood?

How does Russell Baker address issues of racism in his memoir? How do the issues of racism in the memoir compare to the issues of feminism?

How does Ida Rebecca's relationship with Lucy parallel and differ from Lucy's relationship with her own daughter-in-law Mimi?

Why does Russell begin and end the memoir with scenes of his senile mother in a nursing home at the end of her life?

Why does Russell's mother want him to "make something of himself"? In what ways does her desire that he succeed affect...